Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-01-07
THE P0STMISTRESS.
BY sIBELLA b. EDGCoME.

penned, too, in characters nearly an,
preaching half-text, stuck up in one of
the few principal shops facing the main
street.
The unimportant village of "I.ammer-
ton lay somewhat far away from any
town, and therefore did fair amount of
steady going business on its own ac-
count. Foremost of all ranked the re-
posItory, or store, rented by Janet Isle,
In which she sold stationery, newspa-
pers, the magazines of the day if duly
ordered in time, besides a variety of use
full odds and ends. She was also the vii
lage postmistress, and carried out the du-
ties of her office with marked regard to
promptitude. In each of these pursuits,
however, she was aided by her pretty
and winsome niece, Elsie Falconbridgc.
In all reality, Elsie was more mistress
OF the postal department than Janet
Llsle herself. 1t was she who ordinarily
undertook the dispatch of that twice-a-
day letter bag, bestowing upon each mis-
sive previously the due Official stamp
mark. "Janet Lisle's right hand, in
fact, as every one said. She, too, it was
who made the mullins and crumpets-
mullins and crumpets which were so pop
ular in the village that no one ever
dreamt of having tea party without
also having mullins and crumpets" to
match.
"Oblige me with q two-cent stamp,
Miss Falconbridge, won't you2" and a
somewhat ell lerly man at that moment
stared her in the face this necessarily,
however-through the gap made in the
wire network marking off the space al
lotted to the postotfce department..
She handed him what he required.
said.
Again she had fulfilled his request.
"Thank you" and without more ado
10 deposited twenty dollar note within
the same.
"All right" he soliloquizcd, as old
gentlemen are so fond of doing. "Come,
that's done, at any rate, j." he added, in
self congratulatory fashion.
Then came aloud, questioningly:
I'm the letter box9-or shall leave it
with you9"
"You can leave it here, SIR" ali
swered Elsie, quietly.
Others were now coming in fast, de-
handing this and that, and in adopting
calm exterior lay her only chance of at
tending rightly to each petitioner
Janet Isle also was unusually busy
that afternoon. Miss Veal, the richest
old lady in the parish, gave large tea
party that very evening, and mullins and
crumpets were accordingly being sent off
In startlingly large quantities.
SIS there any letter waiting for me to-
day, please?" asked a somewhat timid
voice O few minutes later on.
"No, Miss Josephine, nothing"
II am sorry. Disappointing--is it
The two speakers seemed fully to COM
prehend each other. There existed, ap-
parently, sort of pleasant sympathy be-
tween them.
Both were pretty. Both looked good,
and also thoroughly in earnest. Only,
that the assistant postmistress appeared
full of brightness and life, and the girl
now facing her wore the aspect of being
tired of life already.
Eyes, very. l am sorry too"
'Thank you. You are always kind.
will look in again tomorrow, if my doing
80 will not trouble you too much.n
''Not at all, Miss Josephine"
The last named was already moving
away to make room for some one else.
Elsie Falconbridge had, however, not
yet completed her business with the late
lawyers daughter.
'Auntie," she whispered, "take my
place here for moment"
Janet Lisle nodded in assent.
500 come i'll here an instant with me,
won't youI" and Elsie signed that Miss
Josephine should accompany her into the
coy back parlor, where all was now in
readiness for tea. ''The fact is, Miss
Josephine, I've done the most stupid
thing imaginable to-day-made a mis-.
take, and prepared nearly twice the mum,
Der of crumpets that will be wanted by
anybody. Isn't it absurd of me2 You
won't mind--no, I'm sure you won't,
Miss Josephine-helping me out of my
troubled"
''But howe" anne, hcsitatingIy, in re
spouse. Then came-ah so bravely, fol-
it is ever difficult to tell the plain truth
in such matters 81 can't. It's quite
impossible. We have no money. Don't
You understand"
''Absurd - was the interruption
"Why, it's favor Tn asking of you
don't you see2 knew you would be in
to day, for certain, and would befrient
me. It's only that l want you, if yor
don't mind the trouble, to carry home
dozen or so to your swe ct mother. Many
the dozen she has ordered from us in thu
past, when, perhaps, we haven't bee.
able to supply her, Cne can forge
that fact, you know, in hurry s.
there they are, Miss Josephine, all no
and ready butrered, for l don't think yor
would know how to do it yourself. Yor
had better go out this way. by the side
door, and then no one will be the wise
for the favor you've done me-"
For one brief instant her worn, pale
faced companion had bent down i'm
pulsvely and laid her own soft cheel
against Elsie's, and the next, wholly I'm
able to speak, she had disappeared.
II Il Il
IA rather heavier mailbag to-nigh
than usual, wasn't it, Elsie?"
Eyes, aunt. thank you for doing
up for me. At any rate, the registcre
letters did not occupy you a long while.
mo, child"
Meanwhile Elsie had been engaged i
penning a dozen words or more upon
largo sheet of letter-paper and the fo
lowing morning, side by side with tn
we'll. known ''muffin aud trumpet state
ment, appeared the following:
"A young lady, clever and well-educatec
desires at once good morning or daily oil
gagement as governess Terms moderate
Excellent references. Apply for particular
Within
Miss Josephine had, in most ineI
plicable Way. won the Woman's Ell